Finding Strength In Jehovah God Through His Son Jesus Christ

“While He (Jesus) was still speaking, Judas one of the Twelve (Apostles) arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him’. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him” (Matthew 26:47-49).

Many of us are quick to point out the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of His apostles, Judas Iscariot, and how wicked and despicable it was. Throughout the world and especially over in the middle east one of the worst things a man can do is betray someone that has befriended (eaten and fellowshipped with) him. It is considered by many as the ultimate act of deceit and deception.

Upon receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, it was, and is, imperative that we put on the whole “Armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18): “Stand firm then, with the truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”, the apostle Paul warned fellow Christians.

Every time we willingly and knowingly commit to do evil after being washed in the precious ‘Blood of the Lamb’, we betray Jesus all over again! Every time we listen not to the “Holy Spirit” and continue to go right on sinning, we not only grieve the “Holy Spirit”, but we betray Jesus as well. And every time we entertain evil and ungodly thoughts in our mind and continue to do so, we grieve the “Holy Spirit” and betray our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“It is impossible for those who have been once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace” (Hebrews 6:4-6).

It can become increasingly easy to crucify Jesus Christ all over as we continue to practice sin as oppose to fighting our sinful inclination. We find it less and less difficult to sin when we continue to sin. In fact, willful sinning can leave a Christian in a reprobated (depraved) state. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28).

As Christians we must guard our thoughts (Philippians 4:7) and the desires of our heart, because the bible tells us to “guard our heart” (Proverbs 4:23).” So it behooves us to avoid giving ourselves over to lustful thoughts that can lead to actually implementing these thoughts and carrying out lustful cravings. Jesus said “You have heard that is was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27,28).

In order to avoid falling into this trap we must avoid entertaining ourselves with evil imaginings. We must continue to fight the good fight of faith and flee from all evil and stay clear of willful sins that can bring about spiritual death (1Timothy 6: 11,12). However, we must realize that we do not have to fight the good fight alone, we have a loving and caring eternal high priest (Jesus Christ) that is on the right hand throne of the Father (Jehovah/Yahweh) interceding on our behalf when we do fall . “Who Is He that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us’ (Romans 8:34).

And in addition to that God so lovingly sent His ‘Holy Spirit’ into the world to dwell within the believers as a counselor, guide, and instructor. “But the ‘Holy Spirit’, whom the Father will send in my name (Jesus Christ) will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). That is why it is so important for followers of Christ to study the “Holy Scriptures” often: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Timothy 2:15).

Jehovah’s “Holy Spirit” speaks to us through God’s “Holy Scriptures” (the word of God) and through visions too (Acts 26:12-19). But if we choose to grieve the “Holy Spirit” by willfully continuing to sin (Ephesian 4:30), we risk the possibility of losing the “Holy Spirit”—forever! Remaining faithful to Christ is the only sure way of not offending the “Holy Spirit” and running the risk of its departure (Hebrews 10:26-31).

Today, in modern times it is extremely possible for Christians who continue to willfully sin against God to be viewed by God as a betrayer of Christ—much like Judas Iscariot. When we think of traitors of Jesus Christ our first thought is usually Judas, but when we bring reproach on Jesus by our ungodly conduct and actions after publicly professing Him as our Lord and Saviour we do no less!

The apostle Peter stated ” If they (followers of Christ) have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not have known the way of righteousness, than to have known the way and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverb is true: ‘A dog returns to its own vomit’, and a sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud’ ” (2Peter 20-22).

In conclusion, we must put on the whole “Armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18) and we must dutifully guard against our thoughts; we must not set our hearts on that which is evil. As Christians we can fight the good fight of faith and be victorious because Jesus has already won the battle for us when He laid down His life on the cross for us. He led away captive all strongholds that held men in captivity and He gave us the power we need to overcome Satan the devil and everything that he stands for. We have the victory! Hallelujah!

Repent of your sins and ask the Father, in Jesus name, to forgive you of your sins and return to doing what is right in Christ. It’s true we must strengthen each other and support each other in Christ Jesus–we must. We have to love one another and teach each other the word and will of Jehovah God.

May the blessed God Jehovah (Yahweh), creator of heaven and earth and everything that exist bless you and keep you until we meet again. Amen and amen.

All rights reserved (c)copyright by Donald Thomas 2010.
Local churches, national churches, churches worldwide, as well as organizations, and individuals are allowed to use this sermon without restrictions, and without limit; however, it cannot be used for sale or profit. It is a free gift from Jehovah God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ for the strengthening of all of God’s people.

All scriptures were referenced from the following sources: King James Original Bible (c)copyright 1990 by Thomas Nelson; The New King James Version (c) 1979 by Thomas Nelson; King James Version “Holy Bible’ (c)copyright 1978 by the National Publishing Company.

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